by S J Abbott
Aaron looked at her thoughtfully, and though he looked happy that she was enjoying his special spot, he didn’t comment on it. Instead he lifted the bottle of wine in one hand and the cups in the other and asked, “Shall we?”
Julie nodded and turned back to look out at the expansive view. She heard Aaron shuffling and what sounding like mumbling coming from behind her and guessed that the new corkscrew they’d bought with their wine was being difficult. The man at the liquor store must have thought they were completely crazy. She didn’t care, because she felt like she was on top of the world. She stood there and stared, trying to take it all in. The view. Her life. The man. It all felt okay at the moment, and she hadn’t felt that way in a very long time.
Julie heard Aaron coming up behind her. She waited for him to be beside her before she turned to look at him, and when she did, she was mesmerized.
With his eyes fixed on the view in front of them, he held a cup out for her taking.
“Up here, I feel weightless. It reminds me of how big everything is in comparison to me. It grounds me.” Aaron told her.
Julie took the cup from Aaron and sipped at the wine. They stood quietly for a few moments before Julie said his name. It drifted with the wind, and she heard it faintly echo as he turned to face her. She wasn’t sure if it was the wine, the mountain, or just a return of her brazenness from earlier, but she took a chance, leaning toward him to lightly touch her lips to his.
He didn’t respond immediately. Her mind was screaming at her to back off—that she’d made a horrible mistake. But she ignored it and stepped closer, pressing her body against his.
It was like something clicked in Aaron the moment their bodies touched, and he took over. His lips firmed and moved against hers with abandon. He tossed his cup to the ground, put his hands on her hips, and pulled her closer to him. Julie melted against him and let go of the track racing around her head. She let herself feel him, allowed herself to enjoy the moment. Following Aaron’s lead, she tossed her cup away and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening their kiss.
Long moments passed as they lost themselves in each other before they broke apart, breathless, and stared into each other’s eyes. Julie toyed with the hair on the nape of Aaron’s neck, buying herself time to find the courage to speak. “Sorry. I’m not sure what made me do that.”
Aaron leaned forward and kissed her softly, before pulling back immediately. “Don’t be. I kind of hope you don’t figure it out so that it can continue to sneak up on you and take over.”
This time Julie leaned in again and planted a quick kiss. Then she stared into his eyes again, hoping not see anything that would discourage her from acting on the next thought she’d had.
She saw only excitement.
“Can you take me home? I’d like to show you something.”
Aaron stared back before nodding. He then leaned in and crushed his lips against hers in a back-bending kiss that Julie felt all the way to her toes. Before she could react, he let her go, tingly and wanting.
Aaron turned the key and settled back in his seat, his body humming with things he’d never felt before. Julie’s lips did things to his body he couldn’t have imagined. He couldn’t believe he had to let her go. He couldn’t believe he’d brought her to his spot. He’d never taken anyone there. It was his sacred space. The one place on the planet that no one knew about and he could just be. He had a lot of responsibility, and it was nice to have a place to let his shoulders relax, even if it was just for a few minutes. He hoped Julie found it as peaceful as he did.
Aaron followed the turn-by-turn directions Julie gave him, but was concerned by her posture. She was slumped in her seat, almost turned in on herself.
“Is everything okay?”
She perked up a little. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Aaron heard something in her voice, something she wasn’t saying but wanted him to hear. “Well, for starters you won’t tell me where we’re going. You’re just spouting directions.” He paused when he realized how that sounded. “Which I will gladly take … but why the secrecy?”
Julie was quiet, and Aaron let the silence settle around them. It was oddly comforting that he didn’t feel the need to fill the space with noise. She told him to turn on the next street, then turned to watch him. He could feel her eyes on him. It made him feel flushed, but he liked it. His mouth turned up at the one corner. “Yes?”
Julie let out a breath. “I have to explain some things to you before anything else can happen between us, but I’m worried … because I think you want more than I’m able to offer … and I’d kind of like to stay in the space we’re in a bit longer.”
Aaron’s half smile became a full smile as he placed his hand on her leg in an attempt at comfort. “Then we’ll just be here, right now, until we get wherever you’re taking us.” Aaron squeezed her leg reassuringly as he turned on the street Julie had indicated.
Julie put her hand on top of his. “It’s the third house. The small white one with the front light on.”
Aaron did as she asked and then removed his hand from her leg and put the car in park.
“You see that’s the problem. We’re here. The moment is over, and now I have to do this.”
Aaron shifted so he could look at Julie straight on. He found her eyes and held them with his own. “We can sit here for as long as you like, but here’s the thing: if you’re worried that something you tell me, might scare me off, then I have to tell you … I’m a little offended.”
Julie breathed as she seemingly digested his words. She appeared to set her resolve, and then changed her mind. “Wait … what? Why would you be offended?”
Aaron leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Pulling away, he told her, “I don’t scare that easily.”
He tilted his head and stared at her for a long moment before putting his hand under her chin and pulling her to him. He claimed her mouth, and heat washed over him. He deepened their kiss, sweeping his tongue against her lips, teasing her to open hers more. She sighed against him, and he tried to move closer to her. The need to feel her body against his own was growing stronger by the second, but the damn shifter dug into his hip.
Aaron released Julie’s chin and then her mouth with soft light brushes of his lips against hers. “If you have something to say before things go any further, I’d suggest you say them quickly.”
Julie looked dazed when she opened her eyes. She smiled, letting Aaron know she wasn’t as dazed as she looked. She put her fingers to her lips and let them fall back into her lap before she swallowed hard and closed her eyes again. “The thing is that I really shouldn’t do this, no matter how much I might want to.”
Aaron watched her lips as she spoke. “But you do want to?”
Julie’s eyes flew open and she pushed her back against her seat before setting softened eyes on Aaron. “So much. Honestly, though it’s embarrassing to admit, it’s kind of a teenage dream come true. I always liked you back then, but you were so …” She trailed off and Aaron’s brain went with her. He was so fixed on the fact that she had wanted him too that he didn’t fully realize it when she faded off.
“I was what?” he asked when he found his way back to the moment.
“I don’t know exactly … unreachable is the best word I can think of. You were always so relaxed. So sure of yourself, and busy. You always had people trying to get your attention.”
Aaron couldn’t help it, he started to laugh. “Is that really how you saw me?”
Julie nodded. “And kinda still do, truth be told.”
Aaron couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had to make her understand; not just how he felt now, but how he’d felt then. She’d made herself vulnerable to him, and he had to show her she was safe with him. That he would do the same.
He reached across the console and picked up her hand. “It wasn’t my attention that people wanted, it was my baseball skills. I didn’t want to be around any of them. You, on the other h
and.” He turned his eyes down. “You were the one who was unreachable. Nothing bothered you. You did things your way and never let others interfere. I envied you. But as much as I envied you, I couldn’t help myself from staring at you. You were so pretty.” He ran a thumb down her cheek. “Still are, but in a different way. Back then there was an innocence, a sense of determination that flowed underneath the exterior beauty. Now there’s life, experience, and maturity added to the rest, making you an even more amazing you. I no longer envy you. I am in awe of you.”
Julie didn’t speak so Aaron tried not to be self-conscious in the silence. He waited a few beats and then said, “So, now that that’s out there, why don’t you tell me what you were going to tell me.”
Julie blinked a couple of times and then nodded. “First, I’m not letting go of what you just said. I’m just shifting it, because right now I need to get this out.”
Aaron smiled and nodded in return. “Understood.”
Julie sucked in a deep breath and huffed it out “Well, as you know, I wait tables.” Aaron tried to look at her with reassuring eyes, but the way she was breathing caused her chest to rise and fall in a way that put pressure on the buttons on her shirt, and the fabric pulled taut against her breasts. He was having trouble concentrating.
“I had to drop out of college and come home because there was an accident and I was needed here. I have a lot of responsibilities that have to come before school, a career or …” She looked up at him, sadness in her eyes. “A relationship.”
Aaron was putting everything he had into focusing on her words and not the things she was making him feel … and then he realized she seemed to be trying to talk him out of them. It was like a bucket of icy water got dumped on his head. “So wait … because of an accident a few years ago, you can’t have a relationship? I’m confused.”
Julie nodded. “Well, the accident is what started it all. It was my mother in the car, but that accident changed both our lives. She has a condition that mimics Alzheimer’s, but it’s from traumatic brain injury rather than age or whatever causes Alzheimer’s. It was just me and my mom. It always has been. So when she couldn’t take care of herself I came home to do it.”
Aaron stared at her and felt blood return to the whole of his body. She was so special, and she had no idea. He needed to make her see. He squeezed her hand. “Don’t you see that by telling me this, it only makes me want you more. Things like this, tough situations, are what make up who we are … and you are a fighter. You’re also very loving and selfless to come home, put your dreams on hold, and do something you hate in order to care for your mother.”
Julie smiled, but it was half-hearted. It didn’t reach her eyes. “But that’s just the thing, my dreams are on hold. I just don’t see how I can manage a relationship along with everything else. I have my hands full as it is, and it wouldn’t be fair to you to be with someone who couldn’t give you everything you deserve. Because you deserve a lot. I want to be that for you, but I don’t think I can do that.”
Aaron thought about how he could show her that she was wrong. That being together, giving them a chance, was worth the risk. He was willing to take it—and wanted her to be willing, too.
“Look, I know you believe that you can’t give me what you think I need, but I’ve spent the last few years figuring out what I need. And having someone to answer my every beck and call, didn’t come up on that list. I’m done with the casual relationship thing as well. Bella pretty much stomped that out of me. I want to give this a shot, but I need you to want that too.”
Julie looked more skittish than she had since he’d run into her at the party. Knowing he had to stop her panic in its tracks, he spoke up. “Why don’t we go inside?”
“Are you sure? I can’t ever be sure what I’m walking into each night. Some nights are great and others … well, others are horrible.”
Aaron squeezed her hand before letting it go and turning away from her so that he could get out of the car. “Yup. I’m sure. I can’t wait to meet your mom.”
Julie shook her head. “Maybe I should rethink wanting to date you based solely on the fact that you’re crazy, rather than my own issues. I feel like less personal guilt and berating would happen.” She followed his movements and got out of the car. They looked at each other over the roof.
“We’re doing this.” Aaron told her firmly.
Julie shook her head but dug her keys from her bag and walked to the door. Before she opened it, she looked at him one more time.
“Would you stop? I’m not going anywhere,” he told her, and he put his hand over hers and turned the key in the lock.
“Julie, is that you?”
“Yeah, Mom, and I have a friend with me.”
“Oh, is it Shannon? I’ve been wanting to talk to her.” Aaron could tell the voice was getting closer.
Julie took a few steps into the house and set her bag down on a chair. “No, mom. Shannon couldn’t come over tonight. This is a different friend. Where are you?”
As the last word came out of Julie’s mouth, a woman who looked very much like Julie came around the corner and stopped in the living room.
“Oh. Well, hello there,” she said as she smiled and took the last few steps to get close enough to shake his hand.
Aaron took her offered hand and introduced himself. “Great to meet you Mrs. Hill. I’m Aaron Cabot.”
“Aaron Cabot. Aaron Cabot. I feel like I know that name.” She looked up at him. “And call me Amy.” She looked to Julie. “Why do I think I’ve heard his name before?”
Julie shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe when I was in school. Aaron and I went to the same high school.”
Aaron dropped her mother’s hand, even though she continued to look at him while she tried to remember. She shook her head. “No that isn’t it.”
“Mom, why don’t we sit down. I’ll go grab us all something to drink. I’m sure you’ll figure out where you’ve heard his name, just give it a minute.”
Julie looked at Aaron sympathetically. He smiled, trying to reassure her. Julie left to go to the kitchen, and after Julie’s mother sat in a very comfy looking recliner he sat on the sofa. Amy continued to stare while they waited for Julie to return.
Aaron shifted uncomfortably. He saw a Kindle on the table next to her chair and thought it might be a safe topic of conversation. Maybe then she’d stop staring at him and let go of trying to figure out where she’d heard his name. “So Mrs. Hill—I mean Amy—what are you reading?”
Amy looked to the table beside her. “Oh, this and that. I like to read mysteries, sometimes but I also like romances. Reading is a nice break from watching television or any of the other mundane things I do all day because Julie doesn’t let me out of the house. I suppose it isn’t really her fault.” She turned back to him. “Did she tell you about the accident that rattled around my brain?”
“Mom?” Julie asked. Aaron hadn’t heard her come back but was glad she had, because he wasn’t sure what to say. She wasn’t supposed to remember anything.
“Since about four o’clock this afternoon,” her mother said.
Julie set three glasses of water on the coffee table. “Why didn’t you have Ms. Shirl call me? I would have come home.”
“Why? I was fine. She told me you’d gone to work. I figured I’d catch up on all I’ve missed since the last time my brain was working. Oh, and I didn’t eat that sandwich you left. I made pork chops. There’s more in the oven waiting for you.” She looked at Aaron. “There’s plenty, so don’t be shy.”
“Thank you for making dinner, Mom, but you know I like being home when you’re yourself.”
“Yes, I know. But I also know that you have no life, and that it’s my fault. It was only a few hours. Oh my god!”
Julie jumped. “What!”
A huge smile spread across Amy’s face as she looked at Aaron. “I remember now! You’re that dildo guy!”
Aaron froze. He wasn’t used to people knowing who he was, es
pecially older ladies with memory issues. He was caught completely off guard.
“Mother!”
Amy looked at her daughter. “Well, he is.” She looked at Aaron. “Aren’t you?”
Aaron wasn’t sure what he should do, so he looked at Julie first. She nodded. He tried to swallow before he spoke, but the words still came out in a squeak. “Um … I guess.”
Amy laughed. “You are. I heard about you on my morning show. They were talking about that book everyone loves, the one with the whips and stuff in it. And then they started talking about the products. You’re one of the owners of Genesis, Inc.”
Aaron looked at Julie. She had tears in her eyes, but he couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying because she’d covered her mouth with her hand. He took a chance and let out the laughter he’d been attempting to hold in and focused on Julie’s mother. “Yes ma’am, I am.”
He glanced at Julie out of the corner of his eye, but she hadn’t changed her position. Amy smiled hugely at him before turning to her daughter. “Did you know about this?” She turned back to Aaron. “They said you all got started making … ya know”—she winked at Aaron—“by molding your own … ya know.” She tipped her head down, gesturing at his crotch.
Aaron couldn’t help it. He laughed so hard he almost fell off the couch. It was more than ludicrous to be sitting across from the mother of the woman he wanted to date—and date seriously—discussing how he started a multimillion-dollar company by molding his own penis. He couldn’t believe it, but he went with it. After his short laughing fit, during which Julie finally uncovered her mouth and revealed the fact that she had also been laughing, he sat back up and looked right at Julie and said, “Yes ma’am. That’s true as well.”
“So that means that anyone can go to your website and buy a perfect copy of your … ya know.” She gestured again.
